Powered game system

ABSTRACT

A game system for creating an electromagnetic field includes a plurality of interconnected track pieces, each having at least one conducting coil embedded therein, and which defines a game playing area. A capacitor bank is in electrical communication with at least one of the track pieces. A transmitter circuit is in electrical communication with the capacitor bank and a power source is in electrical communication with the transmitter circuit. The electromagnetic field is transmitted between each of the conducting coils in the plurality of track pieces for energizing a variety of electrical receivers, such as game pieces, placed within the game playing area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a completion application of co-pending U.S.Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 62/144,443, filed Apr. 8, 2015for “Wirelessly Powered Playing Areas and Game Pieces Therefor,” theentire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety including the drawing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to terrains, game pieces, and boardgames. More particularly, the present invention is directed to poweredgame terrains and game pieces therefor. Even more particularly, thepresent invention relates to wirelessly powered, game boards and gametokens.

2. Prior Art

Prior art game boards as well as game terrains, in accordance with agame's rules, require a player to move a selected game token by hand tooccupy a specific board position during the course of play.

Recently, there have been developed electrically powered versions of anumber of classic board games that afford augmented or enhanced gameplay mechanics. For example, in the electronic version of Stratego®, thegame board is configured to provide an indication as to which of twotokens occupying opposing board positions is to be removed from play. Assuch, the value of each of the two tokens remains a secret.

Today, other game tokens or game pieces comprise one or more lightemitting diodes, or LEDs, attached to and in electrical communicationwith a power source, such as a small battery, and which are thrown orotherwise put into play.

Wirelessly powered game tokens have also been taught. Such tokens do notrequire attachment to a power source such as a battery. Wirelesslypowered tokens each include an inductance coil. The coil receives energyfrom a magnetic field generated by an electrically powered transmittingcoil positioned in a spaced apart relationship therewith.

It is further known that magnetic induction works through a variety ofnon-magnetic materials such as paper, plastic, and glass, as magneticfields are not blocked as easily as electric fields. This enables thedesign and development of game boards and terrains in a wide expanse ofenvironments. However, due to the limitations in the field strength, thesize of any board is limited.

Thus, it would enhance the gaming experience if the game board or fieldcould be enlarged.

Because electrically powered game boards, terrains, and tokens canprovide for an enhanced gaming experience without effecting any changeto game mechanics, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus forwirelessly powering such.

It is to this to which the present invention is directed. The followingdetailed description of certain embodiments of the present inventionwill be better understood when read in conjunction with the appendeddrawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a game system for creating anelectromagnetic field and wirelessly powering a variety of game piecesand/or game board.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, the game systemcomprises a plurality of interconnectable track pieces, a capacitor bankin electrical communication with at least one of the track pieces, atransmitter circuit in electrical communication with the capacitor bank,and a power source in electrical communication with the transmittercircuit.

Each of the plurality of track pieces includes a pair of conductingcoils embedded therein for transmitting an electromagnetic field betweenthe plurality of track pieces.

The transmitter circuit includes a pair of power outputs or coil inputs,wherein each coil input corresponds to an associated conducting coilwithin each track piece.

The capacitor bank functions to regulate the amount of power supplied tothe track pieces, based on the size and number of track pieces utilized,by including a plurality of capacitor bank inputs where the user canmanually choose the desired and appropriate output.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, each track pieceincludes only a single conducting coil. Similarly, the transmissioncircuit only includes a single coil input to correspond to theconducting coil within each track piece. The power supply and capacitorbank remain as disclosed in the first embodiment.

Additionally, due to the fact that only a single conducting coil is usedin each track piece and the electromagnetic field is, therefore, weaker,a plurality of supplemental tile pieces, each having a conducting coilembedded therein, may be disposed within the confines of the trackpieces to boost the strength of the electromagnetic field created.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the game system isnot modular, but comprises a single mat assembly having at least oneconducting coil embedded therein and winded throughout. The at least oneconducting coils are then coupled to a power supply using a plurality ofwires. In this embodiment, a game board and plurality of game pieces areplaced atop the mat assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-B depict a first embodiment of a track assembly;

FIG. 2 depicts a first embodiment of a transmitter circuit having twocoil inputs used to create and transmit high frequency AC current to thetrack assembly of FIGS. 1A-B;

FIG. 3 depicts a capacitor bank and the expandability of a game systemused herein for increasing the perimeter of a game playing area;

FIG. 4 depicts a physical layout of the game system;

FIGS. 5A-E depict a second embodiment of a track assembly andsupplemental tiles and track pieces;

FIG. 6 is a second embodiment of a transmitter circuit having a singlecoil input to be used in conjunction with the track assembly of FIGS.5A-E;

FIG. 7 depicts an alternative embodiment of a game playing area using amat assembly containing resonance coils;

FIG. 8 is an edge view of a mat assembly suitable for use in theembodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a pictorial diagram showing a standard, non-electrified gameboard resting on a powered mat assembly;

FIG. 10 is a pictorial diagram of one embodiment of the mat assemblysuitable for use in configurations of the present inventions, with bothan upper mat of the mat assembly and an adhesive agent omitted to showthe internal coils within the mat assembly; and

FIG. 11 is a pictorial diagram of another embodiment of a mat assemblysuitable for use in configurations of the present invention, showing adifferent power supply configuration and a different number of coilswithin the mat assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

At the outset, it is to be noted that to the extent that the figuresillustrate diagrams of the functional blocks of various embodiments, thefunctional blocks are not necessarily indicative of the division betweenhardware circuitry. Also, unless otherwise indicated, the drawings arepictorial drawings and are not intended to provide detailed wiringdiagrams for the various configurations of the invention. One ofordinary skill in the art would be able to design circuitry for theinvention, including detailed wiring diagrams, without the need forundue experimentation, upon gaining an understanding of the inventiveembodiments and features disclosed herein.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralsaid elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated.Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention arenot intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unlessexplicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having”an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property mayinclude additional such elements not having that property.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, there is depicted therein a first embodimentof the present invention for creating a modular game playing area.

As shown in FIG. 1B, a partial power grid 300 is used for constructingan expansible game playing area 316. The power grid 300 hereof, whichsurrounds the game playing area 316, is defined by a plurality ofindividual interconnecteable track pieces 302, 302, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1A, each track piece 302, 302′, etc. comprises anon-conductive frame 304, such as a plastic member, having an uppersurface and a lower surface. At least two electrical conducting coils306 a, 306 b are embedded therein between the upper and lower surfaces.The conducting coils 306 a, 306 b act as a transmitting coil receiving acharge from means for generating an electromagnetic field as describedbelow. Each track piece 302, 302, etc. has a first end 308 and a secondend 310. The first end 308 has at least one, and preferably at leasttwo, conductive prong 312. The second end 310 has at least one receptor314, and preferably two, registering with an associated prong 312 of anadjacent track piece 302, 302′, etc. Upon insertion of the prong 312into the associated receptor 314, electrical communication is enabledbetween the conducting coils 306 a, 306 b embedded within adjacentinterconnected track pieces 302, 302′, etc. in any suitable manner wellknown to those of ordinary skill in the art.

As shown in FIG. 1B, a corner track piece 315 includes a prong 315 a andreceptor 315 b normal to each other in order to interconnect twoperpendicular track pieces 302, 302′, etc. A plurality of corner trackpieces 315 enable construction of an assembled rectangular game playingarea 316.

It is to be noted that in the above first embodiment of the power grid300, no additional or supplemental track pieces or tiles, as describedbelow, are necessary in light of each track piece 302, 302′, etc.comprising the pair of conducting coils 106 a, 106 b which provides asufficient supply of electromagnetic power to power a game piece.Alternatively, such components, as described below, may be used ifdesired. It is further contemplated that an additional non-poweredcenter square plastic track perimeter is placed in the center of thetrack assembly. The non-powered center square apparatus will function tofurther boost the perimeter field strength.

As noted above, the present invention further comprises means forgenerating an electromagnetic field to the plurality of track pieces302, 302′, etc. The means for generating an electromagnetic fieldincludes a transmitter circuit 405, a capacitor bank 303, and a powersupply 307 assembled in the manner shown in FIG. 4.

The transmitter circuit 405 is a solid state inverter used to convert DCcurrent into high frequency AC current and transmitted through theconducting coils 306 a, 306 b of each track piece 302, 302′, etc.

The transmitter circuit 405 includes a pair of power outputs or coilinputs 426, 428 which delivers a charge to associated conductive coils306 a, 306 b, respectively. Having a pair of coil inputs 426, 428instead of a single input, as shown below in a second embodiment of atransmitter circuit 205, produces a stronger electromagnetic field.

The transmitter circuit 405 comprises a voltage protection Zener 406which is both grounded and connected to the power supply. The powersupplied to the Zener 406 is then transmitted through a timing capacitor408 and a transistor 410. The transistor 408 operates as an amplifier toraise the voltage from the Zener 406 and power supply. A voltagedetector 407 detects the voltage after the transistor 410 increases thevoltage from the Zener to ensure it's at the requisite level. An offsetdiode 409 is situated proximate the timing capacitor 408 for directingthe electrical path away from the Zener 406. A charge capacitor 412 isdisposed between the timing capacitor 408 and a plurality of rectifierdiodes 414, 416, 418, 420. The rectifier diodes 414, 416, 418, 420ensure that current only flows in a single, proper direction from theZener 406 and power supply. Lastly, a pair of resonant capacitors 422,424 stores the charge before being outputted through a pair of coilinputs 426, 428.

FIG. 3 depicts the wireless transmission system as a whole wherein themeans for generating an electromagnetic field deliver a voltage to theconducting coils 306 a, 306 b in each of the track pieces 302, 302′,etc.

The power supply 307 is used to power the track pieces 302, 302′, etc.in order to generate a magnetic field for rendering game piecesfunctional. The transmitter circuit 405 is powered by the power supply307. The power supply 307 converts AC industrial power into low voltageDC power through rectification (REC). The power supply 307 suppliespower to the transmitter circuit 405, which is connected to a capacitorbank 303 used for modulating the frequency resonance. The capacitor bank303, defined by capacitors of the transmitter circuit 405, is connectedto at least one of the track pieces 302, 302′, etc., which, whenassembled, form a uniform resonance coil 301, thus creating a wirelessgame play perimeter or power grid 300 surrounding the game playing area316, as noted above.

FIG. 3 depicts various configurations of the capacitor banks 303 thatmay be used based on the size of the track. Size examples 2×2, 3×3, and4×2 sizes are illustrated. The transmitter circuit 405 remains unchangedregardless of the capacitor bank 303 utilized.

It is to be appreciated that by using the track assembly that the gameplaying area 316 can be of any desired size. According to thisembodiment, a plurality of wirelessly powered game pieces can be placedanywhere within the game playing area 316 defined by the confines of thetrack pieces 302, 302′, etc.

The game pieces may be made from any suitable material such as plastic,crystal or the like. Optimally, they comprise an LED or otherilluminating element which is activated by the electromagnetic forcesgenerated by the transmitter circuit 405.

Although not shown in the drawing, it is further contemplated that amotor may be embedded in one or more game pieces to enable them tolevitate. This can be achieved by providing booster coils in electricalcommunication with an associated motorized game piece having a notableblade assembly.

It will be recognized to those skilled in the art that the variouspictorial drawings of the power grid 300 and power supply 307 do notrepresent actual schematic wiring diagrams unless otherwise stated. Oneskilled in the art of coil winding and/or basic analog circuit willunderstand proper ways to wind suitable coils and connect them to powersupplies to produce magnetic fields suitable for the present invention.Similarly, one of ordinary skill in the art of power supply design wouldunderstand how to design and build a rectifier circuit suitable fortransforming an AC current to a DC current for use in lighting LEDs andoperating simply electronic devices, and one of ordinary skill in theart of electric machines would understand how to design and make gamepieces having locomotion capabilities.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is depicted therein a secondembodiment of the present invention for creating terrains whichgenerally comprises a modular game playing area.

As shown in FIG. 5A, a partial power grid 100, substantially similar tothat disclosed in the above first embodiment, is used for constructingan expansible game playing area 116. The power grid 100 hereof, whichsurrounds the game playing area 116, is defined by a plurality ofindividual interconnecteable track pieces 102, 102, etc.

As shown in FIG. 5B, each track piece 102, 102′, etc. comprises anon-conductive frame 104, such as a plastic member, having an uppersurface and a lower surface. A single electrical conducting coil 106 areembedded therein between the upper and lower surfaces. Each track piece102, 102, etc. has a first end 108 and a second end 110. The first end108 has at least one, and preferably at least two, conductive prong 112.The second end 110 has at least one receptor 114, and preferably two,registering with an associated prong 112 of an adjacent track piece 102,102′, etc. Upon insertion of the prong 112 into the associated receptor114, electrical communication is enabled between conducting coils 106embedded within adjacent interconnected track pieces 102, 102′, etc. inany suitable manner well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

As shown in FIG. 5C, a corner track piece 115 includes a prong 115 a andreceptor 115 b normal to each other in order to interconnect twoperpendicular track pieces 102, 102′, etc. A plurality of corner trackpiece 115 enable construction of the assembled rectangular game playingarea 116, as shown in FIG. 5A.

Due to the fact that the track pieces 102, 102′, etc. each include onlyone conducting coil 106, it is also contemplated that supplemental trackpieces 130 and/or tile pieces 118 may be placed or disposed within thegame playing area 116 to supplement the power grid 100.

As shown in FIG. 5E, resonant tile pieces 118 are used to supplement theelectric magnetic field generated by the track pieces 102, 102′, etc.Each tile piece 118 comprises a miniature mat having an upper surface120 and a lower surface 122, each fabricated of a non-conductiveflexible material. A conducting coil 124 is sandwiched between the upperand lower surfaces 120, 122.

The tile pieces 118 can be placed in a juxtaposition to define thetotality of the game playing area 116. It is possible to form the tilepieces 118 with irregular upper surfaces to create a terrain 101, ifdesired. The terrain 101 itself may have movable “mountains,”“buildings,” and the like movably emplaced thereon which are similarlyilluminable.

Referring specifically to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of thetransmitter circuit 405, as noted in the above first embodiment of thepresent invention, is used to convert DC electricity to AC electricityfor use herein where each track piece 102, 102′, etc. only has oneconducting coil 106. A transmitter circuit 205 is similar to thetransmitter circuit 405, except that it provides only a single coilinput delivering a power supply to an associated conducting coil 106.

A regulator 245 such as a 6V regulator provides the voltage necessaryfor the operation of transistors 249A, 249B. Capacitors 251C, 251D actas smoothing filters for the input and output of the regulator 245. Thecurrent is fed through resistors 247A, 247B into an oscillator circuit.An oscillator circuit is formed by the inductors 250A, 250B, transistors249A, 249B, diodes 248A, 248B, and capacitors 251A, 251B.

In use and with more particularity, DC current is fed into thetransmitter circuit 205. The inductors 250A, 250B temporarily hold thecurrent flow as the transistors 249A, 249B are switched on or off. Thisproduces an AC signal. The resistors 247A, 247B in the circuit are biasresistors, providing the operating current level for the transistors249A, 249B. The diodes 248A, 248B provide feedback for the oscillatingcondition. Capacitors 251A, 251B control the frequency of oscillation.The resonant current frequency output can be changed based oncapacitance value.

It is to be understood that the alternative embodiment of the power grid100 and transmitter circuit 205 are to be used in conjunction in lieu ofthe power grid 300 and transmitter circuit 405 in the above firstembodiment. The power supply 307 and capacitor bank 303 remainunaffected by this substitution.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-11, there is depicted yet another alternativeembodiment hereof. According to this embodiment, a wireless assembly isdisposed beneath an existing game board. As shown, a power transferassembly 10 is configured to produce a changing (i.e., alternating orpulsating) magnetic field above a game board 14. The power transferassembly 10 comprises a mat assembly 11. The mat assembly 11 comprisesone or more conducting coils 18 (shown variously as 18A and 18B in FIGS.10, and 18C, 18D, 18E, and 18F in FIG. 11) sandwiched between andpermanently and flexibly affixed to a surface of each of a first mat 16and a second mat 16′ using a flexible and permanent adhesive agent 19,such as a non-brittle, rubber glue, or the like.

Each of the one or more conducting coils 18 is formed from a length ofwire 20. The length of the wires 20 comprises a first end and a secondend, and the wire 20 is coiled therebetween such that the first andsecond ends extend between each of the one or more conducting coils 18and a power supply 22.

In FIG. 8, the conducting coils 18 embedded within the mat assembly 11are not visible in this view because they are embedded within theadhesive agent 19 and recessed within the mat assembly 11.

Each of the first and second mats 16 and 16′ is, preferably, formed formmaterials that are highly flexible and that do not interfere with themagnetic field produced therebetween and radiating thereabout. Suchmaterials are well known to those skilled in the art and include rubberand plastic.

Optionally, electrical connectors (not shown) are used at the termini ofthe wires 20 for connection to the power supply 22 to prevent strain onthe conducting coils 18 and/or possible breakage. The connectors arerecessed into the power transfer assembly 10, partially extending fromthe power transfer assembly 10, or added at the ends of the wires 20entirely outside of power transfer assembly 10 (i.e., beyond an edge ofmats 16, 16′).

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a game piece 30 for use herein.At least one wrapped coil 28 is disposed in a power device which definesthe game piece 30. The wrapped coil 28 is disposed in the game piece 30.The wrapped coil 28 need not be wrapped around a magnetic or powerediron core, but can instead be an air core coil. The game piece 30 canhave any desired configuration. It should be noted that the game piece30 may be used in the first embodiment hereof as well and may thencomprise a terrain tile, a figurine, a building block, and the like.According to this embodiment, the game piece 30 is played in thechanging magnetic field above the game board 14 that is placed on top ofthe mat assembly 11.

The changing magnetic field produced by an alternating current issupplied to the conducting coils 18, which produces an induced currentin the wrapped coil 28, which is then rectified and/or filtered asnecessary to operate the electronically powered game piece 30.

In practicing the present invention and as noted above, the game piece30 including one or more electronic power consuming devices such as oneor more light emitting diodes (LEDs), DC motors, and/or move in somefashion, add new avenues for enjoyment of a board game or terrain whenencountering the field generated by the conducting coils 18.

The game board 14 is preferably formed from a material that will notinterfere with the electromagnetic field extending from the mat assembly11. Such materials include plastic, cardboard, wood, and othernon-interfering materials that are known to those skilled in the art.The mat assembly 11 is powered by the power supply 22. The changingmagnetic field provides power for the game piece 30, which is used, forexample, for lighting, locomotion, and/or sound produced by the gamepieces, depending upon the circuit that comprises the individual gamepiece 30.

In some configurations, a non-changing magnetic field is provided byconducting coils 18 with a DC current, in which case, energy is suppliedto the game piece 30 only as it is moved through the flux of thenon-changing magnetic field. Such movement is provided in someconfigurations by simply moving the game piece 30 by hand.

Referring again to FIG. 10, the power supply 22 circuitry is providedwithin or extending from the mat assembly 11 itself and a power cord(not shown) is provided that plugs into the power supply 22 of powertransfer assembly 10.

The two conducting coils 18A, 18B are electrically connected either inseries or in parallel with one another, depending upon a desired effectand range of the changing magnetic field.

At least one post 34 is formed on either one or both mats 16, 16′ (onlyone mat 16′ being shown) to simplify the winding of the conducting coils18A, 18B, which are ordinarily copper wire, and anchor them in place.The conducting coils 18A, 18B comprise stranded wire for greatestflexibility. Magnet wire or other forms of non-stranded wire may beused, depending upon the desired flexibility of the mat assembly 11. Forexample, the mat assembly 11 may be highly flexible to allow it to besubstantially “rolled up” for storage. In lieu of copper wire, any otherform of suitable conductive wire can be used for the conducting coils18. Likewise, where more than one turn of wire is used for anyconducting coil 18, the loops comprising the coil turns are insulatedfrom one another.

Depending upon the size of the existing game board 14, configurations ofthe present invention provide different numbers of conducting coils 18that are embedded in the mat assembly 11, from a single conducting coil18 up to any number that is practical to fabricate and that provides adesired effect. The size of the conducting coils 18 and/or the currentpassed through them need not be equal where desired special effect(s)is/are desired.

In FIG. 11, the conducting coils 18 are shown as being square orrectangular coils, all of equal size and shape. Other coil shapes, suchas circles and may be used. As in FIG. 10 both the upper mat of the matassembly and the adhesive agent are omitted to better show the internalcoils within the mat assembly, where all internal coils comprise eithera single winding or a plurality of windings, as required or as desired.

According to this embodiment, power is provided via the power supply 22which is preferably an AC adapter 38 that plugs into a wall socket (notshown). The AC adaptor 38 in this embodiment may be a “wall wart” or a“power brick” in-line configuration with a detachable AC cord configuredto be plugged into the wall socket. A separating power cord 40interconnects the AC adapter 38 to an alternating current supply 44 viaa plug 42. By separating the power supply 22 from the power transferassembly 10, the game board 14 sits flush on top of the mat assembly 11.

A plurality of wires 46 are electrically connected to each of theconducting coils 18 to energize these connections and may comprise aribbon cable that has wires leading to these coils 18.

It is to be readily appreciated that the present invention readilyretrofits existing game boards while providing a vehicle for creating anew “game board” by silk screening same onto the upper mat or otherwiseimprinting any suitable graphic therein.

Also, it is to be readily appreciated that other game pieces, in lieu oftokens, can be used that light up, but do not levitate within themagnetic field.

It is further appreciated from the preceding that there has beendescribed a portable electromagnetic induction power transfer assemblydeploying conducting coils for use in board games and miniature gameterrain. The power transfer assembly is used in conjunction with gamepieces that have been designed to accept a copper receiver coil. Thereceiver coil receives that power via electromagnetic induction from apowered transmitter coil.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   10 Power transfer assembly-   11 Mat assembly-   14 Game board-   16 First mat-   16′ Second mat-   18A Conducting coil-   18B Conducting coil-   18C Conducting coil-   18D Conducting coil-   18E Conducting coil-   18F Conducting coil-   19 Adhesive agent-   20 Wire-   22 Power supply-   28 Wrapped coil-   30 Game piece-   34 Post-   38 AC adapter-   40 Separating power cord-   42 Plug-   44 Alternating current supply-   46 Wire-   100 Power grid-   101 Terrain-   102 Track piece-   102′ Track piece-   104 Frame-   106 Conducting coil of track-   108 First end of track piece-   110 Second end of track piece-   112 Conductive prongs-   114 Receptor-   115 Corner track piece-   115 a Prong of corner track piece-   115 b Receptor of corner track piece-   116 Game playing area-   118 Tile piece-   120 Upper surface of tile piece-   122 Lower surface of tile piece-   124 Conducting coil of tile piece-   130 Supplemental track pieces-   205 Transmitter circuit-   245 Regulator-   247A Resistor-   247B Resistor-   248A Diode-   248B Diode-   249A Transistor-   249B Transistor-   250A Inductor-   250B Inductor-   251A Capacitor-   251B Capacitor-   251C Capacitor-   251D Capacitor-   300 Power grid-   301 Resonance coil-   302 Track piece-   302′ Track piece-   303 Capacitor bank-   304 Frame-   306 a Conducting coil of track-   306 b Conducting coil of track-   307 Power supply-   308 First end of track piece-   310 Second end of track piece-   312 Conductive prongs-   314 Receptor-   315 Corner track piece-   315 a Prong of corner track piece-   315 b Receptor of corner track piece-   316 Game playing area-   405 Transmitter circuit-   406 Voltage protection Zener-   407 Voltage detector-   408 Timing capacitor-   409 Offset diode-   410 Transistor-   412 Charge capacitor-   414 Rectifier diode-   416 Rectifier diode-   418 Rectifier diode-   420 Rectifier diode-   422 Resonant capacitor-   424 Resonant capacitor-   426 Coil input-   428 Coil input

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:
 1. A poweredgame playing system comprising: (a) a plurality of non-conductive trackpieces having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a pair of opposingfirst and second ends interconnecting the upper and lower surfaces, eachof the plurality of track pieces further including a prong disposed atthe first end extending laterally outwardly therefrom, a receptor formedwithin the second end for mating with an associated prong of an adjacenttrack piece, and at least one conducting coil disposed between the upperand lower surfaces within each of the plurality of track pieces; (b)means for generating an electromagnetic field within each of theplurality of track pieces; and wherein the plurality of track pieces isassembleable into a track by interconnecting the prong of each trackpiece into an associated receptor of an adjacent track piece to definean interior game playing area.
 2. The game system of claim 1 whereineach of the plurality of track pieces includes two conducting coilsdisposed between the upper and lower surfaces.
 3. The game system ofclaim 1 wherein the means for generating an electromagnetic fieldcomprises: (a) a power supply; (b) a transmitter circuit in electricalcommunication with the power supply; and (c) at least one capacitor bankin electrical communication with the transmitter circuit, the at leastone capacitor bank having an output, a plurality of electrical wirestransmitting the output of the capacitor bank to the at least oneconducting coil of at least one of the plurality of track pieces.
 4. Thegame system of claim 3 wherein the transmitter circuit includes at leastone coil output for transmitting high frequency AC current through thecapacitor bank to the plurality of conducting coils.
 5. The game systemof claim 4 wherein the transmitter circuit comprises two coil outputs.6. The game system of claim 5 wherein each of the plurality of trackpieces includes two conducting coils disposed between the upper andlower surfaces, each conducting coil corresponding to an associated coiloutput of the transmitter circuit.
 7. The game system of claim 3 whereinthe at least one capacitor bank is configured to provide a currentoutput from the transmitter circuit corresponding to the size of thegame playing area.
 8. The game system of claim 1 further comprising aplurality of corner track pieces that interconnect track pieces normalto each other.
 9. The game system of claim 1 wherein the corner trackpieces cooperate with the track pieces to form a substantiallyrectangular game playing area.
 10. The game system of claim 9 furthercomprising a plurality of tile pieces placed in a juxtaposition todefine the totality of the game playing area within the plurality oftrack pieces, each of the plurality of tile pieces having an uppersurface, a lower surface, and at least one conducting coil disposedbetween the upper surface and lower surface.
 11. The game system ofclaim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of tile pieces includes aterrain formed atop the upper surface.
 12. The game system of claim 1further comprising a game board seated atop the plurality of trackpieces.
 13. The game system of claim 10 further comprising a game boardseated atop the plurality of tile pieces.